Now that spring has sprung, I’m looking forward to doing more walking outdoors. I enjoy trekking down a sidewalk, my long white cane swinging back and forth in front of me, breathing in fresh air and the scent of flowers, and listening to birdsongs.
My favorite place to walk is a cement path that runs along a creek. It starts by a bridge and meanders past houses, a soccer field, a senior apartment complex, a doctor’s office, and other businesses before tunneling under another bridge and heading across town. Of course, I don’t do the whole trail, but I do part of it, which is about a quarter mile, and it’s about a half a mile to it from my house.
When the weather gets warmer, I like to sit in my back yard, writing, doing email, or just reading. Again, I enjoy breathing fresh air and the sounds and smells of nature along with the occasional noises of neighbors. During the week, the day care center next door is an excellent source of racket. But if I decide to work outdoors at that time, I use a pair of noise-canceling headphones, which helps me concentrate, and I can still enjoy the outdoors.
How about you? What outdoor activities are you looking forward to doing now that spring has finally arrived?

Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.

Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
***
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